1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

0 recalls — 8 complaints — 12 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

8 total complaints 3 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
WHEELS1
AIR BAGS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS May 17, 2021
Incident date: May 17, 2021
My 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 is leaking Oil and Radiator Cap(Expansion Trank Cap Replacement Cooling system Flush Thermostat Replacement because my Antifreeze Coolant is running out on me faster than ever,Module is year Affected and it needs a Value job and it needs a Head Gasket.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER May 17, 2021
Incident date: May 17, 2021
My 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280 is leaking Oil and Radiator Cap(Expansion Trank Cap Replacement Cooling system Flush Thermostat Replacement because my Antifreeze Coolant is running out on me faster than ever,Module is year Affected and it needs a Value job and it needs a Head Gasket.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 8, 2020
Incident date: Jul 25, 2020
MY NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SO I GOT THE WATERHOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING WATER IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP OR PUT OUT THE FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO SPRAY SOME CHEMICALS ALL OVER IN THE CAR TO PUT T... Read more
Fire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Aug 8, 2020
Incident date: Jul 25, 2020
MY NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SO I GOT THE WATERHOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING WATER IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP OR PUT OUT THE FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO SPRAY SOME CHEMICALS ALL OVER IN THE CAR TO PUT T... Read more
Fire
WHEELS Aug 8, 2020
Incident date: Jul 25, 2020
MY NEIGHBOR WOKE ME UP TELLING ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SO I GOT THE WATERHOSE AND STARTED SPRAYING WATER IN THE TRUNK BUT IT WOULDN'T STOP OR PUT OUT THE FIRE SO I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND HAD TO SPRAY SOME CHEMICALS ALL OVER IN THE CAR TO PUT T... Read more
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 19, 2016
Incident date: Nov 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 12, 2016
Incident date: Sep 10, 2013
WELL, I HAVE A 1996 MECEDES BENZ C280 HAVIMG A VERY DIFFICULT TIME GET IT STARTING SO I'LL PUT IT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR,AND THE MECHANIC SAID YOU'RE HAVE A VERY BAD IGNITION WIRING HARNESS,HE SAID CHECK AND SEE IF THEY HAVE RECALL ON THAT YEAR OF MECEDES BENZ OF THE YEARS,AND THEY DOSE,1994-1996 C2... Read more
ENGINE Dec 12, 2016
Incident date: Sep 10, 2013
WELL, I HAVE A 1996 MECEDES BENZ C280 HAVIMG A VERY DIFFICULT TIME GET IT STARTING SO I'LL PUT IT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR,AND THE MECHANIC SAID YOU'RE HAVE A VERY BAD IGNITION WIRING HARNESS,HE SAID CHECK AND SEE IF THEY HAVE RECALL ON THAT YEAR OF MECEDES BENZ OF THE YEARS,AND THEY DOSE,1994-1996 C2... Read more

EPA Fuel Economy — 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 17.0 24.0 19.0 Premium $4,300

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins — 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C280

12 manufacturer communications from 7 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
021000 SUSPENSION:FRONT1
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT1
022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1
150000 SEAT BELTS1
020000 SUSPENSION1
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
100000 POWER TRAIN1
LI54.30-P-072145 Dec 10, 2020
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
LI54.30-P-072145 Dec 10, 2020
117000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
LI42.47-P-067502 Dec 9, 2020
251000 ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
LI42.47-P-067502 Dec 9, 2020
030000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
LI27.50-P-071658 Sep 30, 2020
100000 POWER TRAIN
Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
LI33 30-P-056665 Aug 5, 2019
020000 SUSPENSION
Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
LI33 30-P-056665 Aug 5, 2019
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Throttle lift-off clunking noises at drive shafts of front axle
LI91 45-P-066075 Jul 23, 2018
150000 SEAT BELTS
Seat belt extender toothed rack sluggish or makes noises
LI32.25-P-061137 Mar 24, 2015
021000 SUSPENSION:FRONT
Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
LI32.25-P-061137 Mar 24, 2015
021400 SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
LI32.25-P-061137 Mar 24, 2015
022400 SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
Clunking noise from front axle suspension strut or rear axle shock absorber on short strokes of the damper
LI82.85-P-055695 Jul 8, 2013
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after interrupting the power supply (circuit 30).

MERCEDES-BENZ C280 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ C280 across all model years (2006–2007).

8 Total Recalls
233 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
13 Reported Crashes
20 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ C280 — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2007 4 68 View
2006 4 40 View
2000 0 4 View
1999 0 45 View
1998 0 21 View
1997 0 8 View
1996 (current) 0 8
1995 0 25 View
1994 0 14 View

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